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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MrMyth" data-source="post: 4503482" data-attributes="member: 61155">The FAQ, I believe, mentions allowing powers to target inanimate objects if the DM feels it is acceptable. Even within the core rules, this is precisely what page 42 is for - letting you handle situations the rules don't directly address! If the DM feels you don't even need to make a check, that is simply works, than the rules are also fine with that - check out the advice on 'saying yes' on page 28 of the DMG. And hey, if you want even more guidance, check out the rules for damaging objects on page 65 of the DMG.   Except 4th Edition specifically has made attempts to step away from "if the rules don't say it, is doesn't work." DMG page 28, page 42 - these are all about letting people try actions not codified in the rules. The PHB doesn't go into as much detail with this, but right from the start says: "You have almost limitless control over what your character can do and say in the game."  Even in the rather codified skill rules in the PHB, you have the section on "Acrobatic Stunts" which basically tells players they can try almost anything they can think of.  And, interestingly enough, 4E is not a computer game - and is run by a DM who not only is capable of saying "Yes" to non-codified actions, but is even encouraged to by the core rules.  You are inventing restrictions that just aren't there.   Option 1: Use the rules for damaging objects on page 65 of the DMG. A wooden door has a 5 Reflex and 20 hp - the wizard makes his standard attack with a fireball and sees if that is enough to take the door out.  Option 2: Use the rules for breaking down doors on page 64 of the DMG. A wooden door is DC 16 to break down - simply have him make an Intelligence check instead of a Strength check to break it with magic instead of brute force.  Option 3: Use the guidelines for 'Actions the Rules Don't Cover' on page 42 of the DMG. Choose an appropriate check for the PC to make - which could be an attack roll to blast the door down, an Arcana check to direct the magic properly, or a Dungeoneering check to identify the door's weaknesses. Assign a DC - perhaps you feel blasting a wood door with fire should be an easy task for a level 5 wizard, and so give it a DC of 13 (or 18, if you decided to have him use a skill for it.) Have him make the chosen check against the chosen DC, and if successful, the door is blasted down! Option 4: Say, "Heck, you're willing to unleash a ball of fire against a simple wooden door? Sure thing - your power blasts it into so much kindling!" Option 5: Say, "Hmmph. You thought it would be easy, huh? You unleash the spell, little realizing that the damp dungeon air has saturated the wood over the centuries. After your blast, the walls are scorched and a few flames lick feebly at the door, but it stil stands in your path." Oh, and if this is being done as a skill challenge (say, to escape a castle), if any of the above result in the door being burnt down, I'd award 1 success towards the completion of the skill challenge - or possibly more, depending on the circumstances.  4E allows for many different approaches, and gives a wide variety of guidelines for resolving actions and rewarding player creativity. Where, precisely, do you feel it actively restricts or discourages any of the above solutions I proposed? And if it does not - what more do you want the system to do - what solution do you think should be an option, but somehow isn't?</blockquote>

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